Wildfires springing up across BC prompts evacuation alerts and orders

Residents living in up to 35 properties near Murray Lake in BC’s Interior have been issued an evacuation alert by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District due to a growing wildfire.

Kamloops Fire Information Officer Kayla Pepper says the 60 hectare blaze was being fought by fire fighters, air tankers and helicopters, but ground crews have been removed as a safety precaution.

“Residents in the area are advised of the wildfire incident and should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Just to clarify an order has not been put in place. This fire is believed to be started by a lightning strike yesterday.”

Crews are battling a total of twelve wildfires of note across the province.

An Evacuation Order has been issued for two cabins near Tetachuck Lake as crews battle a 13,000 hectare blaze 7km south of the Chelaslie River .

20 firefighters, 2 heavy equipment operators and one sustained action crew are fighting a 12,000 hectare wildfire . Approximately 50 kilometers west of Williston Lake, between the Mesilinka River and Tenakihi Creek. No homes are impacted. Crews are working to protect some infrastructure and timber values in the area.

The Peace River Regional District has ordered an evacuation order for the area directly south and west of Hudson’s Hope due to a 10,000 hectare blaze 56Km West of Chetwynd .

An evacuation order is still in effect for 200 oil and gas camp workers near Tumbler Ridge due to a 6400 hectare blaze that is now 35-percent contained.

Comments

When the pipelines across BC are in place (both bitumen and natural gas), how will the sections that run above ground be affected by wild fires? …will we have fire crews to attend the fires, no matter their location in a timely fashion? Does gas expand with intense heat? Does bitumen?